-Rivalry Forged in Unity-

Rivalry Forged in Unity-Chapter 18; The House Cup

The next day, I woke up in the hospital wing, now in a white t-shirt and gray sweatpants. There were gifts on the nightstand and the table in front of the bed, cards and candy and such. I smiled.

Dumbledore walked in. "Good afternoon, Mia. Tokens from your admirers?" He spoke.

"Admirers?" I questioned.

"What happened down in the dungeons between you and Professor Quirrell is a complete secret. So, naturally, the whole school knows." Dumbledore said as I smiled.

"Ah, I see that your friend, Ronald, has saved you the trouble of opening your Chocolate Frogs." He said.

"Ron was here?" I questioned. "And, Draco...is he okay?" I said, a look of worry on my face.

"Fine, fine. He's just fine." Dumbledore said.

I nodded. "What happened to the Stone?" I asked.

"Relax, dear girl. The Stone has been destroyed." He said. "My friend Nicholas and I have had a little chat. We agreed it was best all around to destroy the Stone." Dumbledore said.

"But then Flamel, he'll die, won't he?" I questioned.

"...He has enough Elixirs to set his affairs in order. But yes, he will die." Dumbledore spoke up.

"...How is it I got the Stone sir?" I asked. "One minute, I was staring into the mirror, and the next-" Dumbledore cut me off.

"Ah, you see, only a person who wanted to find the Stone, find it, but not use it, would be able to get it. That is one of my more brilliant ideas. And between you and me, that is saying something." He said.

I nodded. "Does that mean with the Stone gone, that Voldemort can never come back?" I asked.

Dumbledore sighed. "I'm afraid there are ways in which he can return." He said. "Mia, do you know why Professor Quirrell couldn't bear to have you touch him?" Dumbledore asked.

I shook my head.

"It was because of your mother. She sacrificed herself for you, and that kind of act leaves a mark." He told me.

I rested my hand on my arm that had my scar, but he shook his head.

"No, no. This kind of mark cannot be seen. It lives in your very skin." Dumbledore said.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Love, Mia. It is love." He told me. He patted my head, before standing up.

"Ah, Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans." Dumbledore said, picking the box up. "I was most unfortunate in my youth to come across a vomit-flavored one. And since then, I'm afraid I've lost my liking for them." Dumbledore said. "But I think I could be safe...with a nice toffee." He said, pulling one bean out and putting it into his mouth.

I smiled.

"Hm, alas! Earwax." Dumbledore said.

I chuckled softly, as he walked out.

Soon enough, I got back into my robes and exited the hospital wing, walking out. I looked ahead at the top of the stairs., seeing Draco talking with his friends. He turned his head, seeing me. He leaned against the railing, looking down at me.

"All right there, Draco?" I asked.

He nodded. "All right. You?" He asked with a small smirk.

I shrugged. "All right. Never better." I smiled. He smiled also.

Soon enough, the end of the year feast came. Everyone was sitting at their tables, me at Gryffindor, and Draco at Slytherin, of course. Slytherin banners were hung from the roofs. Dumbledore stood.

"Another year, gone, and now as I understand it, the House Cup needs awarding." Dumbledore said. "And the points stand thus; In fourth place, Gryffindor with 312 points." He said. Draco gave a small smirk at me. I sighed.

"Third place, Hufflepuff with 352 points." Dumbledore said as we clapped. "In second place, Ravenclaw with 426 points." He said, people clapping.

"And in first place, with 472 points, Slytherin House." Dumbledore said, as the Slytherin table cheered, Draco very cheerful, smirking at me.

"Yes, yes. Well done, Slytherin, well done Slytherin." Dumbledore said. "However, recent events must be taken into account. And I have a few last minute points to award." Dumbledore spoke up. "To Miss Mia Lancaster, for the cool use of intellect while others were in grave peril...50 points." He said.

Everyone clapped, even Draco with a light clap.

"Next, to Mr. Draco Malfoy, for the best played game of chess, that Hogwarts has seen in fifty years. 50 points." He said.

I clapped along with everyone else, as Draco smiled proudly.

"And, again to Miss Mia Lancaster, for pure nerve, outstanding courage, and saving Hogwarts and her own friends. 150 points." He said. I gasped, as Gryffindor and everyone else clapped.

Slytherin was now at 522 points, while Gryffindor was at 512. I swallowed.

"Finally, it takes a great bravery to stand up to your enemies, but a great deal more to stand up to your own friends. I award 10 points to Mr. Neville Longbottom." Dumbledore said.

Neville looked shocked, as we all clapped. Slytherin and Gryffindor were now tied at 522 points.

"Assuming that my calculations are correct, I believe a change of decoration is in order." Dumbledore said. He clapped, and half of the banners changed to Gryffindor, while the other half stayed Slytherin. "Gryffindor and Slytherin together, win the House Cup." He announced. Everyone clapped. Gryffindor and Slytherin cheered.

I smiled at Draco, and he smiled back.

Soon enough, the next day came and everyone was getting on the Hogwarts Express.

I gave Hagrid a hug goodbye. He gave me a special book, with a magical photo of my mom in it.

I sat down in an empty compartment, stretching, obviously tired. The door then slid open.

"You mind?" The snarky voice said. Draco.

"Hm, September I would've said yes, but now, go right ahead." I smiled.

He smirked, sitting down across from me.

"What a year, huh?" I yawned.

He nodded. "Such a crazy year..." Draco said.

I looked at the bracelet on my wrist from him, smiling softly.

"You still have it, huh?" He said.

I nodded.

"Better keep it, it was expensive." He smirked.

"I'll keep it safe, no worries." I smiled.

We rode all the way home, back to Platform 9 ¾. The train came to a stop and we got our things, getting off.

"Well, this is goodbye, huh?" I said, a little disappointed.

Draco nodded, almost disappointed also. "Well, it'll only be a few months, then I get to mess with you again." He grinned.

"Oh, lovely. I look forward to it." I shook my head.

He snickered. "I still hate you, Mia." He smirked.

"Hate you too, Draco." I smirked back. I punched him in the shoulder gently before running off to my dad.

Draco shook his head. "Nutter..." He muttered under his breath, going to his mother and father.

"Who was that?" My dad asked.

"Draco. Idiot, he is." I shook my head.

He smirked. "Glad you made a friend." My dad said as we walked.

I nodded. Friend? Maybe. Who knows...